Fishing rod indicator



4 G. R. scHwEBs FISHING ROD INDICATOR Filed June 8, 1945 ocr. z2, 1946.'

Patented Oct. 22, 1946 f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FISHING ROD INDICATOR George R, Schwebs, Cleveland, Ohio Application June 8, 1945, Serial No. 598,238 v G'Claims.

This invention relates to fishing rods, and more particularly, to a fishing rod having an indicator device for signalling the presence of a iish on the line. l

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved indicator device for a lishing rod wherein the presence of a iish on the line is indicated by the ashing of a lamp mounted on the rod handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fish indicator of the ashing lamp type for a sln'ng rod wherein a positive actuation of the signal device responsive to the presence of a fish on the line is obtained.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the handle portion of a fishing rod provided with the indicator structure of this invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a detail cross-sectional View of the switch device employed with the indicator structure of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, I designates the handle of a iishing rod, said handle comprising a rear gripping portion 2, a nger post 3, an intermediate portion 4 to which a reel 5 is adapted to be secured, and a forward end portion -5 which is secured to the shank ofthe fishing rod.

Intermediate portion 4 is slightly oifsel; from `the remaining portions of the handle and is formed to provide a seat for the base of reel 5. A clamp member 'I embraces intermediate portion 4 and is provided with a set screw 8 for clamping member l firmly with respect to portion 4 to rigidly secure the front ilange of the reel base to its scat on said portion 4. An appropriate rear recess El is provided for receiving the rear flange of the reel base.

Pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of portion 4 is a lever Ill having a rearwardly and upwardly extending arm II formed with a hook adapted to slidably engage the fishing line I2. Lever I!) is also formed with a depending arm I3. Mounted in a cylindrical recess formed adjacent the forward end of portion 4 is a barrel member I4 containing an elongated plunger I5 mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel member and biased to a forward position where` in it contacts arm I3 by a coil spring It. Positioned in the rearward end of the cylindrical recess is a contact I'I, said contact being insulated from portion 4 by an insulating bushing I8. Spring I6 normally maintains the rearward end of plunger I 5 spaced from contact I7, said plunger being adapted to be moved into Contact `therewith responsive to counterclockwise rotation of lever IIJ. This occurs when a pull is exerted on fishing line I2. Y Y l Mounted in the rearward end of portion 4 behind reel 5 is a flashlight lamp I9 secured in an insulating bushing 20. Lamp I9 is covered by a colored translucent shield 2I appropriately secured thereto. The shell portion of the lamp base is connected to contact I'I by an insulated conductor 22 contained within a passage provided therefor inportion 4 of the rod handle. The center contact of the lamp base is in abutment with the center contact of the end cell of a series of flashlight batteries 23 contained within gripping portion 2 of the rod handle. An end cap 24 is provided on gripping portion 2 for grounding the casing of the rearward battery cell to the handle and providing access to the battery compartment. y

It can be readily seen that when plunger I5 touches contact I'I the lamp base shell is grounded and the lamp circuit is closed. Thus, when a pull is exerted on shing line I2 the lamp becomes illuminated.` This informs the sherman that a sh is on the line.

As shown in Figure l, arm II is of such conguration that line I2 is deviatedvdownwardly by the hook on arm II out of its straight line direction with respect to the shank of the rod. When line I2 is in tension a substantial force is applied to lever I i), causing it to rotate against the pressure of spring I6. 'I he sensitivity of the action may be adjusted by shifting the position of barrel I4 in its recess, a set screw 25 being provided for securing the barrel in a desired position in said; recess.

The location of lamp I9 with respect to the reel 5 is such that forward illumination is substantially blocked by the reel and the indicator is visible 3 Y stop for a collar 21 provided on plunger l5 on which spring I6 bears.

While a specific embodiment of a iishing rod an intermediate portion and a rearward portion,v

said intermediate portion being offset with respect to said forward ,portion and said rearward portion, a lever member pivotally mounted on said intermediate portion, said lever member being provided with a rearwardly extending arm adapted to slidably engage the shing line and deviate it downwardly, and signal means on said handle adapted to be energized responsive to upward movement of said rearwardly extending arm caused by a pull on said line.

`2. The structure of claim l, and wherein said signalmeans is a flashlight bulb and battery assembly housed within said handle.

3. The structure of claim 1, and wherein said Signal means is a ashlight bui-b and battery sembly housed within the rearward portion of said handle.

4. In arshing rod handle, a forward portion, an intermediate portion and a rearward portion, said intermediate portion .being offset with respect to said forward portion and said rearward portion, a lever member pivotally mounted adjacent the front end ofsaid intermediate portion, said lever Amember being provided with a rearwardly extending'hooked 'arm slidably engaging the shing line and deviating it downwardly, switch means adapted to be actuated responsive to upward movement of said hooked arm caused by a pull on said line, and signal means on said handle controlled by said switch means.

5. The structure of claim 4, and wherein said lsignal means is a iiashlight bulb and battery assembly housed within the rearward portion of said handle, said intermediate portion being formed to provide a seat for a reel positioned forwardly of said signal means.

6. The structure of claim 4, and wherein said signal means comprises a flashlight bulb and a battery therefor, the flashlight bulb being covered by a translucent shield.

GEORGE R. sCHwnBs. 

